Original subtitles

Good job.

Get back to work.

You're up to bat.

Come on, let's go!

What? What is it?

Stop. Everyone, come in here.

I'd like to play baseball.

You want to play baseball?

Yes.

You're too small.

And too skinny.

I want to play.

Okay. Let's see what you got.

You bat first.

Nope. Move back.

There.

Put your hands closer together

and spread your feet apart.

Back a little more.

You have to swing at the ball.

Three strikes, you're out, kid.

Let's see if you can catch a ball.

Take the field.

Yes, right there.

He is going to hit the ball to you.

You'll never make it.

Good job. Be careful.

It's time to come in.

Give it to me.

I've been watching you.

You've been watching me?

Yes. For months.

Why?

You want to play baseball, right?

That's right.

Youcan't.

You're too small.

You already told me that.

You're going to get a lot of that.

People will tease you.

You need to be better than everyone.

It doesn't matter if you are small or deaf.

The great thing about us being deaf

is that we don't have to hear what they say.

You can stay completely focused.

Let me show you how I practice throwing strikes.

When you can hit that

square consistently, that's when you know you're good.

Watch.

Better than anyone. Understand?

I think you're ready.

The team is going to be barnstorming across Ohio

and the Midwest.

We need one more player.

What do you say?

We're called the Ohio Independents.

Good game.

I taught you well.

We just beat a very good team.

You want to learn sign?

I'll fix them for free.

I want to pay you back for your idea.

Come here.

Put your hands on the floor.

The floor vibrates.

Calm down.

If you learn to

read and write, we can play baseball.

Let me have it.

Let's play.

My father would be very angry.

He wants me to have a future. He's right.

Hello.

You got me.

Thank you.

Are you from Urbana?

You came all this way to watch me play?

Allow me to change that. I am William Hoy.

And you are?

I'm sure someday he will.

And who is this?

Are you a resident?

No, ma'am; I do not.

I have never learned how to.

I will. It was a pleasure to meet you,

Miss Lowery.

Maybe someday we will meet again.

Good day. And a pleasure to meet you, Mrs.

McCall, Frank.

It's why I want to play baseball.

I will.

It's time for you to go.

Promise me you'll be back to open the shop for the fall.

I promise.

Thank you.

Write it.

I told you I can't, kid.

You don't hear, and in this game you gotta hear.

Read.

But I'm good.

I can catch the ball and I can hit the ball.

Read that.

I'm all right.

They want me to play for them.

But I said no.

Hello. I am trying to locate someone.

Maybe you could help me.

Anna Marie Lowery.

I was hoping you

would remember me.

How is your brother?

Did he ever start playing?

I am sorry.

My father always told me fighting will not solve

anything.

I just joined a professional baseball team in Oshkosh.

Yes. Yes, it is.

No. I mean yes.

I mean I should be there in two weeks.

No. It's just that...

well, you've been on my mind.

This is an beautiful place.

What good would it do me?

The only way they

look at me different is when I play baseball well.

Half of the players

don't even try to talk to me.

Of what?

I've never felt

that my inability to

hear is a handicap. In fact, it is often an asset.

I can feel the tiniest foul tip touching my bat.

I know when I hit a ball

that it will leave the ballpark or just be a single.

And when I'm on base, I have my own secret

way of knowing what the batter is going to hit.

I know if a runner is going to try to run.

And the crowds...

Well, I can see the

look in their eyes when they like what I've done

or even if they don't. I feel their energy when

they stand and wave their arms and hats at me.

The other players hear them cheer, but me, I get

to feel them.

It's late. I should go.

I will.

In time you will.

It would never have worked.

We're different.

Not just your father,

everyone sees me different.

What are you saying?

The ball hit the ground before I caught it.

I'm hitting.

They're quick pitching.

I want to learn to speak.

What's wrong?

Your beauty has overtaken me.

I think I just did.

Didn't you hear me?

B.

A.

While I am at bat, you

spell ball from the sideline.

And I will look at you.

I swing.

You sign three.

B --

B-A-L-L.

B-A-L-L.

S-T-R-I-K-E.

Z.

Z.

Your name.

Your name.

K-R

R-O

- C-K - C-K

Your name.

My name?

B-I

I-S-H

O-P

Y-Z.

Me?

Follow your dreams!

Yes, sir.

I already do.

Use your voice, Mr. Hoy. Stand up for yourself.